Dermott, Arkansas High School Teacher Receives Grant from the Rural Schools Collaborative and Rural Community Alliance

INFORMATION RELEASE

RURAL SCHOOLS COLLABORATIVE/ www.ruralschoolscollaborative.org

CONTACT: Gary Funk, director, 417-848-9083; gfunk@ruralschoolscollaborative.org

November 5, 2015

Dermott, Arkansas High School Teacher Receives Grant from the Rural Schools Collaborative and Rural Community Alliance

The Rural Schools Collaborative (RSC) and the Rural Community Alliance (RCA) recognized a Dermott High School teacher for receiving a grant through RSC’s inaugural Grants in Place program. Funds for the grant award were provided in part by the Arkansas-based Rural Community Alliance and individual donors.

Dermott High School Family, Career and Community Leaders of America students and their advisor, Family and Consumer Science Teacher, Chrisis Toney, were awarded a $400 grant to host a “Back to School” health and safety fair for the community in collaboration with other community organizations. Rural Community Alliance Southeast Regional Director Tanya Broadnax presented an award recognition poster to Ms. Toney and district superintendent Kristi Ridgell.

The Rural Community Alliance is a statewide advocate for rural public education and facilitates grassroots-led community revitalization projects in low-wealth communities. RCA has nearly 2,000 members in 64 communities.

The Rural Schools Collaborative was organized in 2014 and launched in April 2015. RSC believes that community-based instruction, thoughtful collaboration, and targeted philanthropy strengthen the fabric of rural places. Its Grants in Place program is funding 35 innovative projects in seven states.

The organization is currently engaged in eight states with an administrative office in Cambridge, Wisconsin.